Sunday, October 9, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
What's Small, Green, and Makes Soil Better?
A green manure crop, of course!
This cover crop of cowpeas, buckwheat, and lentils will add nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
The seedlings are flourishing and should be ready to incorporate into the soil in about five weeks. Take a look.
This cover crop of cowpeas, buckwheat, and lentils will add nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
The seedlings are flourishing and should be ready to incorporate into the soil in about five weeks. Take a look.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Design-a-Sign
Want to help the WGHS Gardens and Outdoor Lab Project reach and inform the largest audience possible? Help us out by designing and/or creating eye-catching signs with interesting and inspiring messages about the gardens and their contents. These are the signs we need most right now:
- a name plaque bearing the name of the garden ("Willow Glen High School Gardens and Outdoor Lab" with "Main Garden" underneath)
- a "Welcome" sign with rules and requests
- an informational sign with a basic description of the WGHSGOL program
- a friendly notice to groundskeepers and custodians to NOT apply to or use in the immediate vicinity of the garden any toxic chemicals
We also need help with developing a graphic identity (logo, etc.)? Interested or think you know someone who is? Please send an email to justin_bursch@sjusd.org.
- a name plaque bearing the name of the garden ("Willow Glen High School Gardens and Outdoor Lab" with "Main Garden" underneath)
- a "Welcome" sign with rules and requests
- an informational sign with a basic description of the WGHSGOL program
- a friendly notice to groundskeepers and custodians to NOT apply to or use in the immediate vicinity of the garden any toxic chemicals
We also need help with developing a graphic identity (logo, etc.)? Interested or think you know someone who is? Please send an email to justin_bursch@sjusd.org.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Planting Party!
The wait is finally over! Join us for a planting party--nothing fancy, just good old-fashioned dirty fun--at the Willow Glen High School Gardens and Outdoor Lab (WGHSGOL) main garden site in the back of the school (on Dry Creek Road) from 5:30 to 7:30 this Sunday (September 4th). Stop by, have some lemonade, plant a cowpea, sow some buckwheat, make some new friends, and help our gardens grow!
I will give a short talk explaining the benefits of cover crops (warm and cool season) and demonstrate the use of a simple but effective preparation for legume seeds (beans, peas, peanuts) that can help give them a big boost as they grow. I'll also talk about the vision for WGHSGOL and answer your questions, too. So come on down and make this a true "Labor" Day weekend.
See you in the garden!
Justin Bursch
Garden Manager and Project Director
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I will give a short talk explaining the benefits of cover crops (warm and cool season) and demonstrate the use of a simple but effective preparation for legume seeds (beans, peas, peanuts) that can help give them a big boost as they grow. I'll also talk about the vision for WGHSGOL and answer your questions, too. So come on down and make this a true "Labor" Day weekend.
See you in the garden!
Justin Bursch
Garden Manager and Project Director
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Sunday, August 28, 2011
Got Soil?
We do, thanks to a generous discount on soils and compost from South Bay Materials--and the help of George Rix, WGMS math teacher extraordinaire and all-around great guy. George gave up several hours of his Sunday to pick up, unload, and work in two cubic yards of soil and compost last weekend. Thanks also go to Randy Klein--another awesome teacher--for the use of his truck.
The beds are finally filled and ready to be planted!
Below is a close-up of a germinated sample of one of the types of seed that will be planted to help improve the soil.
The beds are finally filled and ready to be planted!
Below is a close-up of a germinated sample of one of the types of seed that will be planted to help improve the soil.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
They Were Framed!
The garden beds, that is. Yes, they are finally finished!
Tremendous thanks go to the Rodenbergers of Willow Glen for donating dozens of redwood planks from a dismantled backyard fence (if you guys ever miss it, you know where you can come to visit it in its reincarnated form!).
Check them out (nothing in them yet though):
Our next work day will be special because it will be our very first planting party! We are just waiting on the delivery of the compost--the warm-season cover crop seeds (buckwheat and cowpeas) and legume inoculant are all ready to go.
Stay tuned!
Tremendous thanks go to the Rodenbergers of Willow Glen for donating dozens of redwood planks from a dismantled backyard fence (if you guys ever miss it, you know where you can come to visit it in its reincarnated form!).
Check them out (nothing in them yet though):
Our next work day will be special because it will be our very first planting party! We are just waiting on the delivery of the compost--the warm-season cover crop seeds (buckwheat and cowpeas) and legume inoculant are all ready to go.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Work Day Information for the Week of July 4th
Hi WGHSGOL Crew,
Sorry about the mega-acronym, but I get tired of typing Willow Glen High School Gardens and Outdoor Lab over and over again.
I just wanted to post some information about our next two work days.
Our next work day will be today, Wednesday, July 6th in the evening (starting at 5), followed by Saturday, July 9th in the AM (starting at 8). All of our beds should be set up by the end of this work day and we will need to have a watering schedule set up with volunteers taking shifts for hand watering (at least until we get the irrigation issue worked out).
See you in the garden!
Justin
Sorry about the mega-acronym, but I get tired of typing Willow Glen High School Gardens and Outdoor Lab over and over again.
I just wanted to post some information about our next two work days.
Our next work day will be today, Wednesday, July 6th in the evening (starting at 5), followed by Saturday, July 9th in the AM (starting at 8). All of our beds should be set up by the end of this work day and we will need to have a watering schedule set up with volunteers taking shifts for hand watering (at least until we get the irrigation issue worked out).
See you in the garden!
Justin
Friday, July 1, 2011
Two Very Productive Work Days
Thank You WGHSGOL Volunteers for two very productive first work days!
On Sunday, June 26, 2011, the Willow Glen High School Gardens and Outdoor Lab Project quietly broke ground on the main garden site.
We followed that up with a great turnout on Thursday the 30th, which was a makeup day for Tuesday (rained out).
A very big "thank you" goes out to Kim G., Maria F., Lauren C., Dragan D., Jean M., and Vern L., all of whom braved the hot afternoon sun to weed, dig, rake, and sift wood chips.
There are now 3 fully dug beds (and a fourth one that is almost finished) that will be framed in, amended, and prepped for planting next week.
Check back here by Sunday evening for a work party schedule for next week.
On Sunday, June 26, 2011, the Willow Glen High School Gardens and Outdoor Lab Project quietly broke ground on the main garden site.
We followed that up with a great turnout on Thursday the 30th, which was a makeup day for Tuesday (rained out).
A very big "thank you" goes out to Kim G., Maria F., Lauren C., Dragan D., Jean M., and Vern L., all of whom braved the hot afternoon sun to weed, dig, rake, and sift wood chips.
There are now 3 fully dug beds (and a fourth one that is almost finished) that will be framed in, amended, and prepped for planting next week.
Check back here by Sunday evening for a work party schedule for next week.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Reminder: WGHS Gardens Work Day #2 is tomorrow, June 28, from 4pm to 8pm
Hi WGHS Gardens Supporters,
Just a quick note to remind everyone that work day #2 is tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday, June 28) from 4pm to 8pm. This time around there is no sign up sheet on VolunteerSpot, so just come on down whenever you can, stay as long as you want, and have fun getting dirty, making new friends, and bringing new life to WGHS soils. We've got plenty to do so there will be something for everyone.
Water and snacks will be provided, but please bring your own mugs/cups to hold water.
Also, if you have a gardening item to donate (tool, hose, etc.) please bring it with you.
Finally, if anyone has a mid-size to heavy duty truck and would be willing to do some driving in the next couple of weeks please let us know--several community members have offered lumber for raised beds (very cool!) if we can go pick it up.
And if you can't make it tomorrow, don't sweat it--there will be plenty more days next month for you to sweat for WGHS Gardens! ;-)
Stay tuned.
Just a quick note to remind everyone that work day #2 is tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday, June 28) from 4pm to 8pm. This time around there is no sign up sheet on VolunteerSpot, so just come on down whenever you can, stay as long as you want, and have fun getting dirty, making new friends, and bringing new life to WGHS soils. We've got plenty to do so there will be something for everyone.
Water and snacks will be provided, but please bring your own mugs/cups to hold water.
Also, if you have a gardening item to donate (tool, hose, etc.) please bring it with you.
Finally, if anyone has a mid-size to heavy duty truck and would be willing to do some driving in the next couple of weeks please let us know--several community members have offered lumber for raised beds (very cool!) if we can go pick it up.
And if you can't make it tomorrow, don't sweat it--there will be plenty more days next month for you to sweat for WGHS Gardens! ;-)
Stay tuned.
Monday, June 20, 2011
WGHS Gardens First Official Work Day (June 26)
Hello eager volunteers!
Please follow the link below to see the details of our first official work day (June 26 starting at 10:00 am) and to sign up for specific jobs/tasks:
http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/982345635098926018
Planting and sign creation will take place on Tuesday, June 28, and will be scheduled as a separate event.
I look forward to seeing you in the garden.
Thanks,
Justin Bursch
Please follow the link below to see the details of our first official work day (June 26 starting at 10:00 am) and to sign up for specific jobs/tasks:
http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/982345635098926018
Planting and sign creation will take place on Tuesday, June 28, and will be scheduled as a separate event.
I look forward to seeing you in the garden.
Thanks,
Justin Bursch
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Garden Work Days
OK, here's the scoop: from the survey it looks like Sunday (June 26) and Tuesday (June 28) are the preferred work days for the majority of our volunteers.
Tomorrow I will email AND post a link to an online sign-up sheet that will have some specific jobs and responsibilities. Signing up for a specific job is not necessary and drop-ins are welcome, but signing up in advance will help all of us to make the best use of our time and resources.
I am also asking folks to bring the following pieces of gardening equipment for use during the workday and/or for donation to the project:
- gloves
- heavy-duty rubber garden hoses
- digging forks
- digging spades (shovel)
- metal rakes
- push broom and regular broom
- wheelbarrows and/or carts
Please send any questions or suggestions to jsbursch@gmail.com.
Tomorrow I will email AND post a link to an online sign-up sheet that will have some specific jobs and responsibilities. Signing up for a specific job is not necessary and drop-ins are welcome, but signing up in advance will help all of us to make the best use of our time and resources.
I am also asking folks to bring the following pieces of gardening equipment for use during the workday and/or for donation to the project:
- gloves
- heavy-duty rubber garden hoses
- digging forks
- digging spades (shovel)
- metal rakes
- push broom and regular broom
- wheelbarrows and/or carts
Please send any questions or suggestions to jsbursch@gmail.com.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Work Days Preferences Survey for Volunteers
OK folks, it's the survey you've all been waiting for...OK, you can stop holding your breath now.
If you are planning on volunteering to help with the WGHS Gardens and Outdoor Lab project and have not yet completed our work days preferences survey, please click on the link below to take the survey. We'll try our best to be as accommodating as possible for all who would like to participate in the construction of the garden, but we need your input first:
Take the Work Days Preferences Survey for WGHS Gardens Volunteers
Thanks!
If you are planning on volunteering to help with the WGHS Gardens and Outdoor Lab project and have not yet completed our work days preferences survey, please click on the link below to take the survey. We'll try our best to be as accommodating as possible for all who would like to participate in the construction of the garden, but we need your input first:
Take the Work Days Preferences Survey for WGHS Gardens Volunteers
Thanks!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Thank You WGHS Parent Club!
Many thanks to the WGHS Parent Club for its generous donation to the WGHS Gardens and Outdoor Classroom Project. This "seed" money will go a long way toward building a resource that will inspire students to learn more about topics in ecology, agriculture, food systems, and health as well as foster in them a more profound appreciation for the natural systems that sustain all life.
To all of you eagerly awaiting developments (and photos), remember to check this blog regularly. If you are wanting to visit the main garden in person (which anyone is welcome to do), please realize that we have not yet officially broken ground--that should be happening in late June (look for a survey on gardens workday preferences here in the next 24 hours).
Again, many thanks to the WGHS Parent Club--the work they (and all employees and volunteers at our school) do is so critical to providing the richest educational experience possible for our children.
To all of you eagerly awaiting developments (and photos), remember to check this blog regularly. If you are wanting to visit the main garden in person (which anyone is welcome to do), please realize that we have not yet officially broken ground--that should be happening in late June (look for a survey on gardens workday preferences here in the next 24 hours).
Again, many thanks to the WGHS Parent Club--the work they (and all employees and volunteers at our school) do is so critical to providing the richest educational experience possible for our children.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Calling All (Gardening) Hands
Folks, we really need to make a big push this summer to establish the gardens. The initial garden will consist of a mere two beds (and some explanatory signage), but it will still take effort and materials to put it together, and that is why I am appealing to any readers of this site: if you can donate time, materials, or both during this week (June 7 through June 10), please contact Justin Bursch as soon as possible. THANK YOU!
For a list of needed materials, please see the "What We Need" page.
Justin Bursch
jsbursch@gmail.com
For a list of needed materials, please see the "What We Need" page.
Justin Bursch
jsbursch@gmail.com
Friday, April 22, 2011
Scouting for the Sites
The WGHS Gardens and Outdoor Lab are so close to becoming a reality--the main garden site has been selected and support for the idea is growing!
Take a look at the photos of the site on the Garden Maps and Descriptions page.
Now we just need to get the core of the garden established with a few well designed and strategically placed raised beds.
If you would like to be involved in the initial groundbreaking (which should be happening in early May), please send me a quick email: justin_bursch@sjusd.org.
Look for more updates here soon!
Take a look at the photos of the site on the Garden Maps and Descriptions page.
Now we just need to get the core of the garden established with a few well designed and strategically placed raised beds.
If you would like to be involved in the initial groundbreaking (which should be happening in early May), please send me a quick email: justin_bursch@sjusd.org.
Look for more updates here soon!
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